How to Care for 4 Hy-Line Hens: Science and Design & Technologies Worksheet for 12-Year-Olds

Instructions

1. Read carefully: Start by reading the introductory text in each section to understand the needs of your Hyline hens.
2. Complete the tasks: Work through the multiple-choice, short answer, and design activities.
3. Use the Maintenance Log: Fill in the table to plan how you will care for your flock throughout the week.
4. Challenge yourself: Try the extension question at the end to apply your knowledge to a real-world problem.

Curriculum Links (Western Australia)

• Science (Year 7): ACSSU111 - Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs; understanding the needs of living things.
• Design and Technologies (Year 7): ACTDEK032 - Investigate how managed environments and symbols are used to produce food and fiber.

Section 1: Meeting the Basics

Hyline Browns are famous for being friendly, hardworking egg-layers. To keep your four hens happy, you need to provide for their daily biological needs.

1. Nutrition is key. What should be the primary food source for a Hyline hen to ensure strong eggshells?

• A) Kitchen scraps and bread
• B) High-quality layer pellets with 16-18% protein
• C) Just grass and insects from the garden
• D) Dried corn and sunflower seeds

2. Water is essential for egg production (an egg is about 75% water!). How much water does a single hen roughly need on a hot day?

• A) 100ml
• B) 500ml or more
• C) 2 Litres
• D) They don't drink water if they eat wet food

Section 2: The Perfect Home

A good coop needs to be "Fox-Proof, Draft-Proof, and Easy to Clean." For four hens, you need at least 1 square meter of coop space and 2-3 square meters of run space per bird.

Describe why each of the following features is vital for a chicken coop:

• Nesting Boxes: _____

• Roosting Perches (off the ground): ___

• Dust Bath Area: __

• Hardware Cloth (mesh) buried 30cm deep: ____

Section 3: The Maintenance Schedule

Consistency is the secret to healthy hens. Use the table below to plan your chores. I have filled in the first row as an example.

Section 4: Health and Behavior

Observe your hens. A healthy Hyline should have a bright red comb, clear eyes, and smooth feathers.

Scenario: You notice one of your hens is sitting in the corner, feathers puffed up, and she isn't interested in her favorite treats.

List three steps you would take to investigate or help this hen:

Section 5: The Egg Economy

Four Hyline hens usually lay about 24-28 eggs per week during their peak.

The Calculation: If a 20kg bag of feed costs $25.00 and lasts your 4 hens approximately 40 days, and a dozen free-range eggs costs $8.00 at the shop, are your hens "earning their keep"?

Show your working below:

Challenge: The Boredom Buster

Chickens are intelligent animals and can get bored, leading to feather pecking. Design an enrichment toy or activity for your chicken run using recycled materials. Draw a quick sketch or describe it in detail below. Consider things like "veggie piñatas," "swinging perches," or "pecking blocks."

My Design Idea:

Answer Key

Section 1:

1. B (Layer pellets provide the specific calcium and protein needed for eggs).
2. B (500ml+; Hylines are high-production birds and need significant hydration).

Section 2:

• Nesting Boxes: Provides a private, dark place for hens to lay eggs comfortably and keeps eggs clean.
• Roosting Perches: Hens instinctively want to sleep high up to feel safe from predators; it also keeps them off their own waste.
• Dust Bath Area: Essential for hygiene; hens use dust to suffocate parasites like lice and mites.
• Hardware Cloth: Prevents foxes or rats from digging under the coop to get inside.

Section 3 (Suggested Table Answers):

• Collect eggs (Daily): To prevent breakage and keep them fresh.
• Refresh bedding (Weekly): To manage ammonia smells and maintain hygiene.
• Scrub water containers (Weekly): To prevent algae and bacterial growth.
• Deep clean coop (Monthly/Quarterly): To prevent pest infestations.
• Check for parasites/mites (Weekly): To catch health issues early.

Section 4:

1. Isolate the hen from the flock to prevent potential spread of illness.
2. Check for physical injuries or "egg binding" (feeling the abdomen).
3. Check her droppings for signs of worms or infection.

Section 5:

• Feed cost per day: $25 / 40 days = $0.62 per day.
• Eggs produced per day: ~4 eggs.
• Value of 4 eggs: ($8.00 / 12) * 4 = $2.66.
• Conclusion: Yes, the hens are producing more value in eggs ($2.66/day) than they cost to feed ($0.62/day).